Identification card-interlock system



Jan. 10, 1950 E. J. BASTIN, JR, El AL 2,494,155

IDENTIFICATION CARD-INTERLOCK SYSTEM Filed March 5, 1947 AUTOMATIC CAMERA INVENTORS EDGAR J. BASTIN JR. BY GERALD VINCENT LYONS ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 10, 1950 IDENTIFICATION CARDJNTERLOCK SYSTEM Edgar J. Bastin, Jr., Cleveland, and Gerald Vincent Lyons, East Cleveland, Ohio, assignors to Picker X-Ray Corporation Waite Manufacturing Division, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application March 3, 1947, Serial No. 731,918

2 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in an X-ray control system utilizing an identification card and more specifically, it relates to an improvement whereby an interlock is provided compelling the removal and replacement of the identification card between successive exposures.

In the making of photographic records of a succession of radiographs, it is customary to use indicia for identifying the various radiographs. In the usual operation of such a system, an indicia bearing member, generally a card, is inserted in a predetermined location so as to be photographically recorded along with the accompanying radiograph. It is the purpose of the present invention to compel an attendant to change such an identification card each time an exposure is made.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an electrical system for carrying out the above purpose which will operate automatically to compel the changing of the identification card every time an exposure is made. Such a system comprises means for energizing the image producing system including an operator-operated member, such as a push button, and a normally open electrical circuit. The use of the identification card is compelled for causing the closing of this circuit before the image producing system may be energized. The deenergization .of the image producing system then provides means for opening and maintaining open aportion of the above-mentioned circuit, the maintaining circuit including a device held in operated position by the identification card. It is then necessary for an attendant to remove the card so as to restore the first named circuit to operating condition. The present invention discloses one means for carrying out our invention in a fool-proof manner.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and specification, and the essential features thereof will be set forth in the appended claims.

In the drawings, j v

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a cone shape housing having a fluoroscopic screen at l the larger end thereof and a recording camera at the smaller end thereof, and parts being broken i away to more clearly disclose the application of our invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmental sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; while I Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view illustrating elec .trical circuits adapted to carry out our invention.

We have chosen to illustrate our invention as utilized in connection with the device disclosed in the copending application of Edwin R. Goldfield, Robert J. Stava, and Edgar J. Bastin, Jr., Serial No. 624,172, filed October 24, 1945, although other uses of our invention will occur to those skilled in this art. In this prior device, a cone is disclosed similar to the cone Ill of the present application and bearing the reference character 26 in the copending application. The slot Illa and the camera H of the present application corresponds to the slot Hi2 and the camera 33 of the copending application. It is contemplated in the present application that an IX-ray tube would be provided as indicated in the housing 22 of the copending application so as to direct rays through the chest portion of a patient standing in front of the larger end of the cone ill of this application, so that a shadow would be thrown upon the fluoroscopic screen and a record thereof made by the camera H. It is believed that further disclosure of,.other apparatus utilized inthe carrying out of our invention is unnecessary to those skilled in this art.

Referring now to the cone I ll, the larger end thereof carries a fluoroscopic screen l2 upon which an image is made by the X-Rays indicated above. The camera H is provided with mecha anism operated electrically in synchronism with the X-ray tube by means later described, which are well known in this art. Thus, a photographic record is made of the image of each patient as he stands before the cone Hi. In such a system,

it is necessary and desirable to identify each photographic record. For this purpose, an identification card I3 is filled out by an attendant giving various data regarding thepatient and indicia appears at the point l3a on each card by which each patient maybe identified.

.Our present invention compels the attendant to change this card each time the image producing system is energized, as will presently appear. As shown diagrammatically in Fig. 3, a relay [4 is provided for causing the energization of the image producing system. This system might include the X-ray tube or the camera H, but

:normallyincludes the automatic operation of both the tube and camera, as mentioned above. The relay armature I la engages the contact l5 upon. energization ofthe relay so as to complete a circuit through lines It and I1 to energize an X -ray tube in the portion of the housing '22 and line 31.

3 of the copending application mentioned above. In order to energize the relay I4 we have provided an operator-operated member such as the push button 18 and a normally open electrical circuit (closable bycard I3) including the source LI, push button I8, line 19, relay 20, line 2|, contact 22, armature 23a of relay 23, line 24, contact 25, armature 26a of relay 26 in its normally open position, line 21, microswitch. 26 and line 29 to the other side of the circuit 1.2.. As shown in full lines in Fig. 3, the blade 28a of switch 28 is normally'in open-circuit position when there is no card I3 insertedinto; the

slot Illa. Referring to Figs. 1 and 3, it.will be noted that the switch 28 has an operating arm 281) which is normally urged outwardly to the position shown in Fig. 1 and-indicated in full lines in Fig. 3. In this position the. switch is.

open. When a card 13 is inserted through the slot Illa it engages the blade 28b moving it throughthe'opening 3B in the bracket 3! tothe broken line position of Fig. 3, and the position of Fig.- 2, which causesfthe operating member. 280 to move theswitch blade 28a to circuit closing position; Thus, whenever-an identification card -13 is sufiiciently inserted in slot um; switch 28 is closed, and whenever the card I3 is'pulled out the switch 28 automatically opens. When a card I3 is in the predetermined position just described where: it closes the'switch 28, then only can the relay l4- be energized to close the image producing system circuit at I6 and l'l,. because then only can relay 2li'be energized by depressing the push button I8. 'Energization of' relay "20 attracts its-armatureifla so as to complete acircuit through contact 32, line 33, relay I4 and line 34 to L2. This closes the armature Ila against contact l;

Simultaneously with the above action' current passes through line '35,' relay 36 and line 31 to "L2; This attracts-the armature 36a against contact so that the relay .36, locks itself in. This locking circuit is through lines: and 40, contact 38, armature 736a, lines 41' and 35, relay 36 At thesame time the armature his closedagainstcontact 42 which completes a circuit through line 39, contact 42,.armature 5 36b, line 43; relay 23-and line 44.

When relay 23- is energized; the armature 23a.

"is moved into engagement with the contact 45 which breaks the circuit at contact 22 through 'which relay- 26-was energized, causing-armature 20a tobe released; but relays 36 and 14' continue-to be energized through-the locking'in of relay 36 previously mentioned.

The closing of relay armature 23a against contact 45 completes a circuit from Llthrough lines 45 and 4"l-,'relay'- 48', line 49', contact 45,

armature 23a, line 24, contact 25, armature 26a, line 21', switch 28 and' line 29. This energizes "the relay 48 and attracts armature 48a into'engagement I with contacttll. This completes a circuit for energizing relay 25 as follows: Form Iil' through lines 46' and SI relay 26', line 52,

. armature 48h, contact 50, lines-53' and 2T; switch 283 and line'23'. Energizing of relay 26 attracts thearmature 26a into engagement with contact 84. which breaks the original circuit'throughcontact 25 whicli' was necessary to initiate anexposure; The armature 26 looks itself in through lines 45; 5I;'aportion"of-52, 55', contact 54, armature 260:; line 2?, switch 28' 'and'line" 26. When cause it has a direct connection through lines 5] and 46 with LI and relay 48 is deenergized through the opening of armature 23a.

In the last mentioned condition of the circuit,

5. if the operator depresses pushbutton l8, nothing will. happen because the. circuit for energizing relay 20 is open at contact 25. Thus, to set the circuit for another cycle, the armature 26a must bereleased. by deenergizing relay 26. This is accomplished when the operator removes the card I3 permitting blade 26b to move outwardly to: the full line position of Fig. 3, opening the switch blade 28a. This restores the original operating circuit ior relay 25 so that another energization. of relay i4 is possible. We have thus provided a fool-proof system whereby the circuit I6 H cannot be energized until a card I 3 has been inserted through slot Iila to cause the closing of the original energizing circuit through switch 28. This circuit is generally broken autoinatically'through armature"26a and can only be restored by removing -the card i3 50' as to permit switclr 28 to open. Thus, an operator is compelled to change calrd I3 each time an exposure is made.

Gertain of the parts ofFig. 3 are shown enclosed in the dot-dash line- 56. This represents those parts which are' shown mounted near the larger'end' of the cone I0" in Fig. l. The switch 28 is mounted on bracket 3I"which in turn is x'nol'inteclonthe' cone; The housing 51' encloses relays 26 and 48 with their respective armatures and wiring and all of the electrical connections from this portion of the apparatus are combined '35- in the electrical cable 58 terminating in a plug 58: having a pluralityof' prongs 59a: adapted to complete the various circuits. In other words, where. lines '46; 49; 24. and 29 cross the line 56 at Fig; 3,;prong connections are provided. Other prongssfiilct notuse'daior this: purpose are for performing: other functions having no part in the present invention; This arrangement makes it easy: to. tear down andiset'np'theapparatus which isdesigneditobe easily portable.

The'camera II includes a motor-69, indicated diagrammatically in: Fig. 3, for the purpose of moving the film pastithele'nshand gate to make successive photographic records. A cam BI is drivenby-niotor 60 through one complete revolution while the film isadvancing. one-frame. When the camerais ready to take a picture, the cam. switchjlaiis inv theposition indicated, relay 134s energized. throughlines-M and 93, contact 64 and lines 65- andv 66. Relay armature 73a closed against contact 61 and armature 13b is closed against contact '68; Depression of button 18. for an X-ray exposure causes energization ofv relay TI through contact 69, armature Mb of relay I4 and lines 10 and i4. Relay I2 is energized throughline l5,contact t8, armature 136, line. 1.6,,armature I Id (of relay 1!), contact IT and lines 78. and'Tl-S. 'Armatures 12a and 72b close.v against contactsv 8H and 8 I respectively, locking relay l2 in'through lines 82; and 83.

The circuit for motor 60 is now complete except at contact 84 against which armature Ha is normally closed. whenfrelay 1L .is. deenergized. This] occurs atfthe. endiof. the X-ray exposure whenibutton I8 isireleased. Motor 60 thenstarts 7 to turnenergized through lines 86, ill, 88, armature 1311', contact 61, line 89, armature 1211, contact.80, li ne 85, contact 84,..armature lla, line 16; armature-13b, contactjfia'gandli'nef l5. As

. h the basins imi advanca. 'swi ch man '75 'tlimwnover'against contact 96 (being snapped over by spring 9|). Motor 60 is now energized through lines 81 and 92, contact 9!], switch Bla, lines 93 and 94. Movement of switch Bla deenergized relay l3 and opening of armature 131) causes relay 12 to drop out. When the film has advanced one frame, switch Bla returns to the position shown in Fig. 3, motor 60 stops, relay '13 is again energized and the camera is ready for the next exposure.

The motor 60 may be moved by hand switch 95 through lines 81 and 94 when it is necessary to move the film other than in the automatic manner described above.

What we claim is:

1. In apparatus comprising an X-ray tube and a fluorescent screen for providing an image responsive to rays from said tube and an identification card for said image and a holder for said card and a camera for making a record of said image and said card, the combination of an electrical system including a first relay for causing energization of said X-ray tube, a first circuit for energizing said first relay including an operatoroperated member and a second relay, a third relay in parallel with said first relay and adapted to lock itself in when energized, a fourth relay energizable responsive to said third relay, a fifth relay, an armature for said fourth relay adapted when deenergized to close said first circuit and adapted when energized to cause energization of said fifth relay through a second circuit, means for locking said fifth relay in independently of said operatoroperated member, a. sixth relay, a normally open switch adapted to be held closed by said card in said holder, said switch connected in series in said first circuit, a third circuit energized independently of said other circuits and including said switch, and an armature for said sixth relay adapted when deenergized to close said first circuit and adapted when energized to break said first circuit and to close said third circuit.

2. In combination, an electrically operated image producing system, an operator-operated member, a normally open switch, an identification card for use with said system, a holder for holding said card in switch-closing engagement with said switch, self-locking relay means, a second relay having an armature normally open and adapted to be closed by energization of said second relay, electrical circuit means for energizing said image producing system including in series said operator-operated member and said selflocking relay means and said switch in closed position and said armature in open position, third relay means actuated by energization of said first named circuit means, a circuit for energizing said second relay including said third relay means in actuated condition, whereby said first named electrical circuit means is broken by said second relay armature in closed position, and a selflocking circuit for locking said second relay in energized condition and including in series said switch in closed position, whereby after one energization of said image producing system and release of said operator-operated member, said card must be removed from said holder to restore said armature to open position to complete said first named circuit means for again energizing said image producing system.

EDGAR J. BASTIN, JR. GERALD VINCENT LYONS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,394,225 Ashford Feb. 5, 1946 2,396,874 Nagel et al Mar. 19, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 552,923 Great Britain Apr. 30, 1943 557,050 Great Britain Nov. 2, 1943 

